Meet the Lancashire women who set up cake businesses during Covid pandemic – and have had great success

In a world that would have be unrecognisable to us all less than one year ago, a number of talented Lancashire bakers have been able to thrive.

Cake delivery businesses have been established across the county – and indeed the country – since the very first national lockdown in March, with customers able to get a box full of brownies, Victoria sponges or an entire afternoon tea delivered to their doorstep with just a click or DM.

We meet three Lancashire ladies who set up their cake businesses during the pandemic and have seen business boom since.

The Afternoon Box, Bolton-le-Sands

Self-employed actor Maggie Wignall set up her afternoon tea delivery business in August, after struggling to find work during the first national lockdown.

“I applied for about 200 jobs and nowhere was hiring, so I thought I’m going to have to hire myself. What can I do? What do I really like? Baking,” she explained.

The talented 27-year-old bakes everything from scratch, and will deliver a box including two goats’ cheese, tomato or mozzarella tartlets; two scones with jam and clotted cream; two mini carrot cakes; strawberries; four hazelnut brownie bites and teabags to anywhere within a 15-mile radius of her Bolton-le-Sands base.

“It started off with mostly people I know supporting me and buying a box here and there, but then when they started sharing pictures of their afternoon teas online, I started to get orders from people that I didn’t know which was exciting,” Ms Wignall said.

“It has been really good from there. The orders have been steady.”

For Christmas – and lockdown number two – the baker is set to give the afternoon tea box a festive makeover, swapping carrot cake for Christmas cake and adding gingerbread to the menu.

“During lockdown people have become really aware of small businesses, and people who aren’t struggling financially as much as others are really putting in effort to help which is incredible,” she added.

“People who maybe can’t afford to support businesses at this time are just doing everything else they can like sharing things online, and that makes a huge difference.”

You can follow The Afternoon Box on Instagram @theafternoonbox or on Facebook.

That Baker Girl Kay, Blackpool

Rather than hand delivery, Blackpool-based Kay Mah offers to send her handmade brownies UK-wide via Royal Mail, as well offering collection for those in FY3.

The 29-year-old who now works full-time as a civil servant set up the business in June during a period of unemployment, and offers customers boxes of either eight or 16 brownies of varying flavours.

“Everything is made from scratch. I’ve baked since I was a teenager, so I guess it’s just a hobby that has turned into a mini-business,” she said.

“They are very securely packaged and posted First Class via Royal Mail. Everybody’s posted orders have turned up the next day so far, and I did about three test runs before advertising that I’d post them.”

Ms Mah says her most popular flavours are the Malteser brownies and Terry’s Chocolate Orange brownies, and she also offers vegan options.

The Facebook reviews she has received to date speak volumes, with one customer writing that Ms Mah’s brownies were the “best brownies I’ve had in my 38 years”.

“I know money is quite tight for everyone and people are keeping an eye on how much they spend – and with Christmas fast approaching I think that’s going to be another difficult time for everyone – but hopefully, people will want to maybe treat themselves or treat others,” the baker said.

“I also put little customised cards inside if people request it, so if they want to send it as a gift I can write a little note in with whatever they want in.”

Ms Mah asks for orders to be placed a week in advance as she juggles full-time work commitments with her successful new sideline.

You can follow That Baker Girl Kay on Instagram @thatbakergirl_kay or on Facebook.

Sweet Occasions, Cleveleys

Nicola Miller had worked as a successful bridal makeup artist prior to the pandemic, but was forced to rethink her career during lockdown.

“I had to close my [bridal makeup] business for six months during the first lockdown and when it reopened I had no customers because weddings have such tight restrictions on them,” Mrs Miller explained.

“That’s why I decided to start this, because I was thinking what else could I try to do that if we get put into another lockdown is not going to be affected by it.”

Sweet Occasions was launched in October this year, and offers themed afternoon teas for delivery across the Fylde Coast.

“Our most popular one is the afternoon tea for two, and you get a selection of rolls; scones with Cornish clotted cream and jam; millionaire shortbread; mini Victoria sponge cakes, chocolate-dipped strawberries and chocolate brownies as well,” Mrs Miller said.

“We generally cover a 10-mile radius from Cleveleys, but we also deliver further afield for larger orders. We can go as far as Manchester and Liverpool with our larger orders.”

Each afternoon tea package comes with a three-tier cake stand and personalised cover, complete with satin bow.

The cakes are baked by Mrs Miller with the help of her husband – and former Hell’s Kitchen winner – Terry Miller.

“We bake everything ourselves at home. I have a little help from my husband who used to be a chef and he had a very successful career working for some very high-profile celebrities. He retired from cheffing a few years ago and comes out of retirement when I need help with the baking,” Mrs Miller said.

You can follow Sweet Occasions on Instagram @sweetoccasionscleveleys or on Facebook.

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